Double row modular gang jack for board edge application

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a double row modular gang jack for board edge application. A plurality of vertical walls are interposed between first and second longitudinal horizontal walls, and another plurality of vertical walls are interposed between the second and third horizontal longitudinal wall. Parallel rows of plug receiving recesses are consequently formed between the first and second and the second and third longitudinal horizontal walls. One of the longitudinal walls extends transversely beyond the edges of the other two to enable the plugs inserted in one row of the plug receiving recesses to be superimposed over the plugs inserted in the other row of plug receiving recesses.

This application is a national stage filing under 35 U.S.C. § 371 ofInternational Application PCT/US96/14589, filed on Sep. 12, 1996, whichclaims priority to U.S. application 08/520,735, filed on Sep. 11, 1995and now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to electrical connectors and moreparticularly to modular gang jack connectors.

2. Brief Description of the Prior Developments

The prior art discloses modular gang jacks having a plurality of plugreceiving recesses. Heretofore, however, modular gang jacks have notbeen configured to allow for the positioning of one horizontal row ofplugs above a second horizontal row of plugs. There is, therefore, aneed for a modular gang jack which allows such positioning of plugs onthe edge of a printed wiring board.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In the modular gang jack assembly of the present invention the first,the second and third longitudinal horizontal walls are positioned inparallel spaced relation. A plurality of vertical walls are interposedbetween the first and second longitudinal horizontal walls, and anotherplurality of vertical walls are interposed between the second and thirdhorizontal longitudinal walls. Parallel rows of plug receiving recessesare consequently formed between the first and second and the second andthird longitudinal horizontal walls. One of the longitudinal wallsextends transversely beyond the edges of the other two to enable theplugs inserted in one row of the plug receiving recesses to besuperimposed over the plugs inserted in the other row of plug receivingrecesses. The assembly may be through mounted or surface mounted on aprinted circuit board. The assembly may also have longitudinal verticalwalls to be vertically mounted on a printed circuit board.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the gangjack assembly of the present invention including two plug elements inphantom lines;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken through line II—II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a second preferred embodiment ofthe modular gang jack of the present invention with two plug elementsshown in phantom lines;

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken through line IV—IV in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a third preferredembodiment of the modular gang jack of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is another view similar to FIG. 4 of a fourth preferredembodiment of the modular gang jack of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a top plan view of a printed circuit board for receiving themodular gang jack shown in FIGS. 1-6;

FIG. 8 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a fifthpreferred embodiment of the modular gang jack of the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of a sixthpreferred embodiment of the modular gang jack of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a printed circuit board for receiving themodular gang jack shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 11 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of aseventh preferred embodiment of the modular gang jack of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 12 is a vertical cross sectional view similar to FIG. 4 of aneighth preferred embodiment of the modular gang jack of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the insulated housing element is showngenerally at numeral 10. This insulative housing element is made up of alower horizontal first longitudinal wall 12, a medial secondlongitudinal wall 14 and an upper third longitudinal wall 16. Connectingthe first and second longitudinal walls are lower lateral walls as at 18and 20 which form with the first and second longitudinal walls lowerplug receiving cavities as at numeral 21 generally. Connecting thesecond and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at 22 and23 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 24. Lowerplug receiving cavity 21 is typical of all the plug receiving cavitiesin its row and it includes a forward opened end 26, a rear opened end28, a medial wall 30 which has an inclined top side 32 and a transverseextension 34. It will also be noted that the walls as at 20 have a firststep 36 and a second step 38. The upper cavities as at 24 have a forwardopen end 40, a rear opened end 42, a medial wall 43 with inclined lowerside 44 and a lateral extension 46. The upper lateral walls as at 24also have a first step as at 48 and a second step as at 50. Inserted inthe lower cavity is a first lower plug insert shown generally at 51which has a vertical section 52 and a horizontal section 54. There is abase side 55, on the bottom of the vertical section and a top side 56which extends from the top of the base section over the top of thehorizontal section. There is also a forward end 58 at the front of thehorizontal section and a rear end 60 on the rearward surface of thevertical section. Opposite this rear end on the vertical section thereis a medial vertical surface 62. Conductive wires as at 64 and 66 extendthrough the vertical section in bores as at 68. These bores connect withgrooves as at 70 in the top side into which the wires extendhorizontally to the forward end and then extend downwardly andrearwardly to be supported on the inclined top side of the medial wall.Inserted in the upper cavities are second top inserts as is showngenerally in numeral 72. These inserts have a vertical section 73 and ahorizontal section 74. At the bottom of the vertical section there is abase side 75 and there is an opposed top side 76. At the front of thehorizontal section there is a forward end 78 and at the rear of thehorizontal section is a rear end 80 opposite from that rear end on thevertical section there is a medial vertical surface 82. Conductive wiresas at 84 and 86 extend through the vertical section in bores as at 88which connect the grooves as at 90 that convey the wires to the forwardend from where they extend downwardly and rearwardly to be supported onthe inclined surface of the medial wall. The conductive wires from boththe first and second inserts are connected to a printed wiring board 92which has an integral pin 96. The first, second and third horizontallongitudinal walls have respectively front edges 98, 100 and 102. Thesewalls also have, respectfully, rear edges 104, 106 and 108. It will beseen that the upper third board stands transversely beyond the first andsecond board so that the rear edge 108 of the upper third board isvertically misaligned with the rear edges 104 and 106 of the first andsecond horizontal wall. Consequently it will be seen that it is possibleto insert the lower plug into the lower cavity and then insert the upperplug into the upper cavity such that the upper plug is superimposed overthe lower plug and the medial vertical surface 82 of the upper plugabuts the rear end 60 of the lower insert.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the insulated housing element is showngenerally at numeral 110. This insulative housing element is made up ofa lower horizontal first longitudinal wall 112, a medial secondlongitudinal wall 114 and an upper third longitudinal wall 116.Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls are lower lateralwalls as at 118 and 120 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls lower plug receiving cavities as at 121. Connectingthe second and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at122 and 123 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 124.Lower plug receiving cavity 121 is typical of all the plug receivingcavities in its row and it includes a forward opened end 126, a rearopened end 128, a medial wall 130 which has an inclined top side 132 anda transverse extension 134. It will also be noted that the walls as at120 have a first step 136 and a second step 138. The upper cavities asat 124 have a forward open end 140, a rear opened end 142, a downwardlyextending medial wall 143 with inclined lower side 144 and a lateralextension 146. The upper lateral walls as at 124 also have a first stepas at 148 and a second step as at 150. Inserted in the lower cavity is afirst lower insert shown generally at 151 which has a vertical section152 and a horizontal section 154. There is a base side 155, upper bottomof the vertical section and a top side 156 which extends from the top ofthe base section over the top of the horizontal section. There is also aforward end 158 at the front of the horizontal section and a rear end160 on the rearward surface of the vertical section. Opposite this rearend on the vertical section there is a medial vertical surface 162.Conductive wires as at 164 and 166 extend through the vertical sectionin bores as at 168. These bores connect with grooves as at 170 in thetop side into which the wires extend horizontally to the forward end andthen extend downwardly and rearwardly to be supported on the inclinedtop side of the medial wall. Inserted in the upper cavities are secondtop inserts as is shown generally in numeral 172. These inserts have avertical section 173 and a horizontal section 174. At the bottom of thevertical section there is a base side 175 and there is an opposed topside 176. At the front of the horizontal section there is a forward end178 and at the rear of the horizontal section is a rear end 180 inopposed relation to that rear end on the vertical section 173 of thesecond insert there is a medial vertical surface 182. Conductive wiresas at 184 and 186 extend through the vertical section in bores as at 188which connect the grooves as at 190 that convey the wires firstlaterally, then downwardly, then downwardly again to the forward endfrom where they extend upwardly and rearwardly to be supported on thelower inclined surface 144 of the downwardly extending medial wall 143.The conductive wires from both the first and second inserts areconnected to a printed wiring board 192 which has an integral pin 196.The first, second and third horizontal longitudinal walls haverespectively front edges 198, 200 and 202. These walls also have,respectfully, rear edges 204, 206 and 208. It will be seen that theupper third board stands transversely beyond the first and second boardso that the rear edge 208 of the upper third board is verticallymisaligned with the rear edges 204 and 206 of the first and secondhorizontal wall, consequently it will be seen that it is possible toinsert the lower plug into the lower cavity and then insert the upperplug into the upper cavity such that the upper plug is superimposed overthe lower plug and the medial vertical surface 182 of the upper plugabuts the rear end 160 of the lower insert.

Referring to FIG. 5, a third preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 310. This insulativehousing element is made up of a lower horizontal first longitudinal wall312, a second longitudinal wall 314 and an upper third longitudinal wall316. Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls are lowerlateral walls as at 318 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls lower plug receiving cavities as at 321. Connectingthe second and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at322 and 323 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 324.Lower plug receiving cavity 321 is typical of all the plug receivingcavities in its row and it includes a forward opened end 326, a rearopened end 328, a medial wall 330 which has an inclined top side 332 anda transverse extension 334. It will also be noted that the walls as at320 have a first step 336 and a second step 338. The upper cavities asat 324 have a forward open end 340, a rear opened end 342, a medial wall343 with inclined lower side 344 and a lateral extension 346. The upperlateral walls as at 324 also have a first step as at 348 and a secondstep as at 350. Inserted in the lower cavity is a first lower insertshown generally at 351 which has a vertical section 352 and a horizontalsection 354. There is a base side 355 and at the upper end of thevertical section, a top side 356 which extends from the top of the basesection over the top of the horizontal section. There is also a forwardend 358 at the front of the horizontal section and a rear end 360 on therearward surface of the vertical section. Opposite this rear end on thevertical section there is a medial vertical surface 362. Conductivewires as at 364 and 366 extend through the vertical section in bores asat 368. These bores connect with grooves as at 370 in the top side intowhich the wires extend horizontally to the forward end and then extenddownwardly and rearwardly to be supported on the inclined top side ofthe medial wall. Inserted in the upper cavities are second top insertsas is shown generally in numeral 372. These inserts have a verticalsection 373 and a horizontal section 374. At the bottom of the verticalsection there is a base side 375 and there is an opposed top side 376.At the front of the horizontal section there is a forward end 378 and atthe rear of the horizontal section is a rear end 380 in opposed relationto that rear end on the vertical section there is a medial verticalsurface 382. Conductive wires as at 384 and 386 extend through thevertical section in bores as at 388 which connect the grooves as at 390that convey the wires to the forward end from where they extenddownwardly and rearwardly to be supported on the lower inclined surfaceof the medial wall. The conductive wires from both the first and secondinserts are connected to a printed wiring board 392 which has anintegral pin 396. The first, second and third horizontal longitudinalwalls have respectively front edges 398, 400 and 402. These walls alsohave, respectfully, rear edges 404, 406 and 408. It will be seen thatthe upper third board stands transversely beyond the first and secondboard so that the rear edge 408 of the upper third board is verticallymisaligned with the rear edges 404 and 406 of the first and secondhorizontal wall, consequently it will be seen that it is possible toinsert the lower plug into the lower cavity and then insert the upperplug into the upper cavity such that the upper plug is superimposed overthe lower plug and the medial vertical surface 382 of the upper plugabuts the rear end 360 of the lower insert.

Referring to FIG. 6, a fourth preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 410. This insulativehousing element is made up of a lower horizontal first longitudinal wall412, a second longitudinal wall 414 and an upper third longitudinal wall416. Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls are lowerlateral walls as at 418 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls lower plug receiving cavities as at 421. Connectingthe second and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at422 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 424. Lowerplug receiving cavity 421 is typical of all the plug receiving cavitiesin its row and it includes a forward opened end 426, a rear opened end428, a medial wall 430 which has an inclined top side 432 and atransverse extension 434. It will also be noted that the walls as at 420have a first step 436 and a second step 438. The upper cavities as at424 have a forward open end 440, a rear opened end 442, a downwardlyextending medial wall 443 with an inclined bottom side 444 and a lateralextension 446. The upper lateral walls as at 422 also have a first stepas at 448 and a second step as at 450. Inserted in the lower cavity is afirst lower insert shown generally at 451 which has a vertical section452 and a horizontal section 454. There is a base side 455, of thevertical section and a top side 456 which extends from the top of thebase section over the top of the horizontal section. There is also aforward end 458 at the front of the horizontal section and a rear end460 on the rearward surface of the vertical section. Opposite this rearend on the vertical section there is a medial vertical surface 462.Conductive wires as at 464 and 466 extend through the vertical sectionin bores as at 468. These bores connect with grooves as at 470 in thetop side into which the wires extend horizontally to the forward end andthen extend downwardly and rearwardly to be supported on the inclinedtop side of the medial wall. Inserted in the upper cavities are secondtop inserts as is shown generally in numeral 472. These inserts have avertical section 473 and a horizontal section 474. At the top of thevertical section there is a base side 475 and there is an opposed bottomside 476. At the front of the horizontal section there is a forward end478 and at the rear of the horizontal section is a rear end 480. Inopposed relation to that rear end on the vertical section there is amedial vertical surface 482. Conductive wires as at 484 and 486 extendthrough the vertical section in bores as at 488 which connect thegrooves as at 490 that convey the wires to the forward end from wherethey extend downwardly and rearwardly to be supported on the lowerinclined surface of the medial wall. The conductive wires from the firstinsert are connected to a printed wiring board 492 which has an integralpin 496. The conductive wires from the second insert are connected toanother printed wiring board 493. The first, second and third horizontallongitudinal walls have respectively front edges 498, 500 and 502. Thesewalls also have, respectfully, rear edges 504, 506 and 508. It will beseen that the medial second board stands transversely beyond the firstand second board so that the rear edge 508 of the upper third board isvertically misaligned with the rear edges 504 and 506 of the first andsecond horizontal wall, consequently it will be seen that it is possibleto insert the lower plug into the lower cavity and then insert the upperplug into the upper cavity such that the upper plug is superimposed overthe lower plug and the medial vertical surface 482 of the upper plugabuts the rear end 460 of the lower insert.

Referring to FIG. 7, a printed wiring board for use with the modulargang jack of the present invention would include a plurality of pinreceiving apertures as at 610, 612, 614 and 616. It would also includegroups of conductive leads receiving apertures as at 618 and 620.

Referring to FIG. 8, a fifth preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 710. This insulativehousing element is made up of a lower horizontal first longitudinal wall712, a second longitudinal wall 714 and an upper third longitudinal wall716. Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls are lowerlateral walls as at 718 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls lower plug receiving cavities as at 721. Connectingthe second and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at722 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 724. Theplug receiving cavities are similar to those described above. Insertedin the lower cavity is a first lower insert shown generally at 751 whichis similar to the inserts described above. Inserted in the uppercavities is a second top insert as is shown generally in numeral 772which is also similar to the inserts described above. The conductivewires from the first insert and second insert are connected to a printedwiring board 792. The first, second and third horizontal longitudinalwalls have respectively front edges 798, 800 and 802. It will be seenthat front edge 798 is displaced rearwardly from front edges 800 and 802so that the front faces of the upper and lower housings are verticallymisaligned in a non-coincident stair step arrangement.

Referring to FIG. 9, a sixth preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 910. This insulativehousing element is made up of a lower horizontal first longitudinal wall912, a second longitudinal wall 914 and an upper third longitudinal wall916. Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls is a lowerlateral wall as at 918 which forms with the first and secondlongitudinal walls lower plug receiving cavities as at 921. Connectingthe second and third longitudinal walls are upper lateral walls as at922 which form a row of upper plug receiving cavities as at 924. Theplug receiving cavities are similar to those described above. Insertedin the lower cavity is a first lower insert shown generally at 951 whichis similar to those described above. Inserted in the upper cavities aresecond top inserts as is shown generally at numeral 972 which aresimilar to those inserts described above. The conductive wires from thefirst insert and second insert are surface mounted on a printed wiringboard 992. The first, second and third horizontal longitudinal wallshave respectively front edges 998, 1000 and 1002, and front edge 998 isrecessed forward from the other two front edges 1000 and 1002.

Referring to FIG. 10, a printed wiring board for use with the surfacemounted modular gang jack of the present invention would include aplurality of placement pin receiving apertures as at 1010, 1012 and1014. It would also include groups of conductive pads as at 1018 and1020.

Referring to FIG. 11, a seventh preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 1110. This insulativehousing element is made up of a vertical first longitudinal wall 1112, avertical second longitudinal wall 1114 and a vertical third longitudinalwall 1116. Connecting the first and second longitudinal walls arelateral walls as at 1118 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls plug receiving cavities as at 1121. Connecting thesecond and third longitudinal walls are lateral walls as at 1122 whichform a row of plug receiving cavities as at 1124. The plug receivingcavities are similar to those described above. Inserted in the lowercavity is a first lower insert shown generally at 1151 which isgenerally similar to those described above. Inserted in the uppercavities are second top inserts as is shown generally in numeral 1172which are generally similar to those inserts described above. Theseinserts vertically engage printed circuit board 1192.

Referring to FIG. 12, an eighth preferred embodiment of the insulatedhousing element is shown generally at numeral 1210. This insulativehousing element is made up of a vertical horizontal first longitudinalwall 1212, a vertical second longitudinal wall 1214 and a vertical thirdlongitudinal wall 1216. Connecting the first and second longitudinalwalls are lateral walls as at 1218 which form with the first and secondlongitudinal walls plug receiving cavities as at 1221. Connecting thesecond and third longitudinal walls are lateral walls as at 1222 whichform a row of plug receiving cavities as at 1224. The plug receivingcavities are similar to those described above. Inserted in the othercavity is a first lower insert shown generally at 1251 which isgenerally similar to those described above. Inserted in the othercavities are second inserts as is shown generally in numeral 1272 whichare generally similar to those described above. Insert 1272 is mountedon printed circuit board 1292. Insert 1251 is mounted on another printedcircuit board 1293 which is parallel to and vertically displaced fromboard 1292.

It will be appreciated that a modular gang jack assembly which providesan efficient and economical means for positioning a double row of plugson the edge of a printed wiring board.

While the present invention has been described in connection with thepreferred embodiments of the various figures, it is to be understoodthat other similar embodiments may be used or modifications andadditions may be made to the described embodiment for performing thesame function of the present invention without deviating therefrom.Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any singleembodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance withthe recitation of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An insulative housing for use in a modular jackassembly comprising first, second and third longitudinal wallspositioned such that said second longitudinal wall is superimposed oversaid first longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and said thirdlongitudinal wall is superimposed over said second longitudinal wall inspaced parallel relation and a first pair of spaced lateral walls isinterposed between the first and second longitudinal walls inperpendicular relation to said first and second longitudinal walls toform a first transverse plug receiving cavity and a second pair ofspaced lateral walls is interposed between the second and thirdlongitudinal walls in perpendicular relation to said second and thirdlongitudinal walls to form a second transverse plug receiving aperture,and a first medial wall extending from the first longitudinal wall intothe first transverse plug receiving cavity and said first medial wallhaving a first distal side which is in spaced relation from the secondlongitudinal wall, and a second medial wall extending from the secondlongitudinal wall into the second transverse plug receiving cavity andsaid second medial wall having a second distal side which is in spacedrelation from the third longitudinal wall, and wherein the walls in thefirst pair of spaced lateral walls are misaligned from the walls in thesecond pair of spaced lateral walls.
 2. The insulative housing of claim1 wherein the first and second distal sides of the first and secondmedial walls are sloped.
 3. The insulative housing of claim 1 whereinsaid longitudinal walls each have front and rear edges and the rearedges of at least two of said longitudinal walls are misaligned.
 4. Theinsulative housing of claim 3 wherein the first, second and thirdlongitudinal walls are vertically spaced.
 5. The insulative housing ofclaim 4 wherein the rear edges of at least two of said longitudinalwalls are vertically misaligned.
 6. The insulative housing of claim 5wherein the rear edge of the third longitudinal wall, is positionedtransversely beyond the rear edges of the first and second longitudinalwalls.
 7. The insulative housing of claim 6 wherein the rear edges ofthe first and second longitudinal walls are vertically aligned.
 8. Theinsulative housing of claim 7 wherein the first longitudinal wall ismounted on a printed wiring board.
 9. The insulative housing of claim 3wherein the front edges of at least two of the longitudinal walls aremisaligned.
 10. The insulative housing of claim 9 wherein insulativeinserts are positioned in the plug receiving cavities.
 11. Theinsulative housing of claim 10 wherein said housing and inserts aremounted on a printed circuit board.
 12. The insulative housing of claim1 wherein the first, second and third longitudinal walls are horizontaland the first and second pair of spaced lateral walls are vertical. 13.The insulative housing of claim 12 wherein the first pair of spacedlateral walls are misaligned from the second pair of spaced lateralwalls.
 14. A modular jack assembly comprising: (a) an insulative housingfor use in a modular jack assembly comprising first, second and thirdlongitudinal walls positioned such that said second longitudinal wall issuperimposed over said first longitudinal wall in spaced parallelrelation and said third longitudinal wall is superimposed over saidsecond longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and a first pair oflateral walls is interposed between the first and second longitudinalwalls to form a first transverse plug receiving cavity and a second pairof lateral walls is interposed between the second and third longitudinalwalls to form a second transverse plug receiving cavity; (b) a firstinsulative insert having base and upper sides and rear and terminal endsand being positioned such that its terminal end extends into the firstplug receiving cavity and its upper side is adjacent the secondlongitudinal wall; and (c) a second insulative insert having base andupper sides and rear and terminal ends and being positioned so that itsterminal end extends into the second plug receiving cavity and its upperside is adjacent the third longitudinal wall, and wherein the walls inthe first pair of spaced lateral walls are misaligned from the walls inthe second pair of spaced lateral walls.
 15. The modular jack assemblyof claim 14 wherein the insulative inserts each have a medial wallopposed to each of their rear ends and the second insert is superimposedover the first insert such that the medial wall of the second insulativeinsert abuts the rear end of the first insulative insert.
 16. Themodular jack assembly of claim 14 wherein on the first insulative insertthe conductive elements extend vertically from the base side to theupper side of the insulative insert and then generally horizontally tothe terminal end of the insulative insert and then downwardly andrearwardly toward the rear end of the first insulative insert and theconductive elements extend vertically from the base side of theinsulative insert and then generally horizontally to the terminal endand then upwardly and rearwardly toward the rear end of the firstinsulative insert and the conductive means extends vertically from thebase side of the insulative insert and then generally horizontally tothe terminal end and then upwardly and rearwardly toward the rear end ofthe second insulative insert.
 17. The modular jack assembly of claim 14wherein the insulative inserts each have a medial wall opposed to eachof their rear ends and the second insert is superimposed over the firstinsert such that the medial wall of the second insulative insert isvertically aligned with the rear end of the first insulative insert. 18.The modular jack assembly of claim 14 wherein conductive elements extendvertically from the base side to the upper side of each of theinsulative inserts and then generally horizontally to the terminal endof the insulative insert and then downwardly and rearwardly toward therear end of the insulative insert.
 19. The modular jack assembly ofclaim 18 wherein the conductive elements extend downwardly below thebase side of the insulative insert.
 20. The modular jack assembly ofclaim 19 wherein there are a plurality of generally parallel conductiveelements which extend vertically from the base side to the upper side ofthe insulative insert and then generally horizontally to the terminalend of the insulative insert and then downwardly and rearwardly towardthe rear end of the insulative housing.
 21. The modular jack assembly ofclaim 20 wherein each of the conductive elements extend vertically fromthe base side to the upper side in a base and then extends in a grooveon the upper side of the insert.
 22. The modular jack assembly of claim14 wherein in the insulative housing the first medial wall extends fromthe first longitudinal wall into the first transverse plug receivingcavity and said first medial wall has a first distal side which is inspaced relation from the second longitudinal wall, and a second medialwall extends from the second longitudinal wall into the secondtransverse plug receiving cavity and said second medial wall has asecond distal side which is in spaced relation from the thirdlongitudinal wall.
 23. The insulative housing of claim 22 wherein thefirst and second distal sides of the first and second medial walls areshaped downwardly respectively toward the rear ends of the first andsecond inserts.
 24. The insulative housing of claim 14 wherein thefirst, second and third longitudinal walls are horizontal and the firstand second pair of spaced lateral walls are vertical.
 25. The insulativehousing of claim 24 wherein the first pair of spaced lateral walls arevertically misaligned from the second pair of spaced lateral walls. 26.An insulative housing for modular jack assembly having a firsthorizontal row of plug receiving cavities superimposed over a secondhorizontal row of plug receiving cavities in a non-aligned, verticallyoverlapping relation.
 27. An insulative housing for use in a modularjack assembly comprising first, second and third longitudinal wallspositioned such that said second longitudinal wall is adjacent saidfirst longitudinal wall in spaced parallel relation and said thirdlongitudinal wall is adjacent said second longitudinal wall in spacedparallel relation and a first pair of lateral walls is interposedbetween the first and second longitudinal walls to form a firsttransverse plug receiving cavity and a second pair of lateral walls isinterposed between the second and third longitudinal walls to form asecond transverse plug receiving aperture, said second plug receivingaperture superposed and laterally offset relative to said first plugreceiving aperture.
 28. The insulative housing of claim 27 whereininsulative inserts are positioned in the plug receiving cavities.
 29. Aninsulative housing for a modular jack assembly, comprising: a generallyplanar front face; a plurality of first openings in said front face forreceiving a corresponding plurality of mating plug connectors, saidfirst openings aligned along a first direction to form a first row; asecond plurality of openings in said front face for receiving acorresponding plurality of mating plug connectors, said second openingsaligned along said first direction to form a second row, said second rowsuperposed relative to said first row in a second direction; whereineach of said second openings overlaps, in said second direction and inan offset relationship, at least one of said first openings.
 30. Theinsulative housing as recited in claim 29, wherein each of said secondopenings overlap two of said first openings.